I've read this girl will not be the ofgicial wife. Could this be true?

Why not???? There is no reason not to take her as an official wife. The Beljafla family is a respected and very successful family. The girls of the family are well educated, have extensive knowledge in the international field. One of Hessa`s sisters is also married with an Shaikh and not hidden as a secret wife.

Because the engagement and the wedding has not been officially announced. No member of the groom's family referred to them and congratulated him publicly ...

Mariquilla: Shaikh Majid binding to the daughter of Ali Beljafla via melcha. Perhaps it can compare with a Western type of engagement. It is a very private matter which would not made ​​public in any case by the ruling family and which is celebrate only in the circle of family and close friends. Within this ceremony the marriage contract will be signed and bride and groom tie the knot. Now the couple is considered to be married legally. Therefore from this day the couple can see each other, talk to each other in private and refer to themselves as spouses. But the marriage is not consumed yet and the couple do not live together. With the official wedding reception which can celebrated weeks, months or even years later the marriage will sealed and the couple begin a married life together. With the wedding reception the marriage will be officially announced also.

As a hint for those who are interested in the customs of gulf region: In the members area there is a thread which helps to understand cultural and traditional things of UAE and the gulf states. There's more to learn about different topics like engagements, weddings, divorces, traditions, way of life in the UAE and gulf countries, food, spices, heritage, family life, present and past and and and......

Apparently nothing was signed between the couple and they are only engaged. Many families go ahead with a melcha but that does not necessary that they start living together as husband and wife, they wait for the big day to do so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariquilla

Because the engagement and the wedding has not been officially announced. No member of the groom's family referred to them and congratulated him publicly ...

People don't congratulate publicly when its an engagement, its not a big deal. When the wedding has taken place then people will start congratulating the Sheikh publicly and in newspapers.

Apparently nothing was signed between the couple and they are only engaged. Many families go ahead with a melcha but that does not necessary that they start living together as husband and wife, they wait for the big day to do so.

People don't congratulate publicly when its an engagement, its not a big deal. When the wedding has taken place then people will start congratulating the Sheikh publicly and in newspapers.

Apparently nothing was signed between the couple and they are only engaged. Many families go ahead with a melcha but that does not necessary that they start living together as husband and wife, they wait for the big day to do so.

I think people are getting confused because of translation. An engagement in the modern Western world is not legally binding. It is really difficult to translate melcha but I think that using the word engagement or betrothal in it's place is probably not the best idea because it does not convey the serious nature of the melcha. However, those in the West that are familiar with the Bible will easily recognize this tradition because it is the same practice that is talked about throughout scripture.

There are photographs on Instagram of Majid signing a marriage contract. He is in the presence an Islamic cleric and a man who I believe to be the bride's father.

I wonder why the Sheikh's father or brothers weren't present at the signing.

Are you sure they weren´t present? Previously there were only two or three images of the event made publicly on which only Shaikh Majid is seen. But this does not automatically mean that his family (or a part thereof) was not present.

Rather, I wonder if the early appearance of images through social media was made ​​public really intended consciously by the families.

The other point I wonder: While the pictures show a Melcha in the presence of Shaikh Majid, however, it is not entirely clear by whom (the daughter of Ali Beljafla and ?????). It seems to be more likely Shaikh Majid is the groom but it may also be that he only had the honor of being best man (witness to a marriage). Should his family (or at least his father) not have been present for sure, then the last point could provide an explanation.

The other point I wonder: While the pictures show a Melcha in the presence of Shaikh Majid, however, it is not entirely clear by whom (the daughter of Ali Beljafla and ?????). It seems to be more likely Shaikh Majid is the groom but it may also be that he only had the honor of being best man (witness to a marriage). Should his family (or at least his father) not have been present for sure, then the last point could provide an explanation.

The pictures of Sheikh Majid were posted by someone who was either Sheikh Majid's friend or official photographer. I forgot which. But they were definitely released by Sh. Majid's camp. Hessa's family did not release pictures until after the photos of Sh. Majid were released. If Sh. Majid was just the best man then his friends would not be congratulating him on his wedding.

The pictures of Sheikh Majid were posted by someone who was either Sheikh Majid's friend or official photographer. I forgot which. But they were definitely released by Sh. Majid's camp. Hessa's family did not release pictures until after the photos of Sh. Majid were released. If Sh. Majid was just the best man then his friends would not be congratulating him on his wedding.

Just a thought of mine.....

As I said it is quite possible that there was been a melcha of Shaikh Majid and Ali Beljafla`s daughter Hessa, but currently not many credible sources available:

It is quite amazing that pictures available publicly - all without Shaikh Majid´s father or his brothers- at this early stage of marriage. Therefore a question remains: Where was Sheikh Majid's family? Maybe the lack of more public images created in us the impression his family was not present at this important step in life. We could be wrong....

This is true. Maybe she is thanking in advance for the future wedding.

You seem to have a problem with conceptualities. A melcha is a legal marriage. But it marks not the start of a married life. The couple will start their life together after the wedding party of the women, which is named "ers al hereem" in UAE. Various traditions run along the process to tie the knot. So the melcha is only a part of a wedding process.

You seem to have a problem with conceptualities. A melcha is a legal marriage. But it marks not the start of a married life. The couple will start their life together after the wedding party of the women, which is named "ers al hereem" in UAE. Various traditions run along the process to tie the knot. So the melcha is only a part of a wedding process.

If i understand well the melcha is the legally binding act, but not the full and final. I have a question. How long after this melcha is the wedding finalised? Is it any obligation to wait a defined period? Could it be done the day after or a month later? Just to have an idea, thanks.

If i understand well the melcha is the legally binding act, but not the full and final.

Thats right!

Quote:

Originally Posted by fandesacs2003

I have a question. How long after this melcha is the wedding finalised? Is it any obligation to wait a defined period? Could it be done the day after or a month later? Just to have an idea, thanks.

The wedding receptions, seperated in a party for men and a party for women, can take place days, weeks, months or years later. Often the wedding party for the groom will not held the same day as the party for the bride takes place. There is no defined period to wait between melcha and wedding receptions. But most families need time in preparation for the feasts which mark important days in life for the groom and the bride.